Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui

The Borough of Tawa takes its name from the native Tawa tree (Beilschmiedia tawa) which once covered the area. The name Tawa Flat was first used in 1854 in the Wellington Provincial Gazette. In the 1941 Local Body elections, Tawa Flat was part of Makara County, which also included Porirua and Titahi Bay. In 1953 Tawa Flat and Linden became an independent borough. After rapid housing expansion in the 1950s outside the Tawa Flat area, the name was changed (on Feb 23, 1959) to the Borough of Tawa. The Tawa Borough Council negotiated for its own water and sewage system to accommodate its expansion into Redwood and Linden. On the 3 October 1988 the Local Government Commission indicated the Borough of Tawa would be amalgamated with Wellington City.

Arohata Women's Prison, 1 Main Road, Tawa
Built in 1944 as a women's borstal, Arohata was the first purpose built women's prison in New Zealand & replaced the Women's Reformatory at Point Halswell. In 1981 it changed functions to become a youth prison, and later a women's prison again, which contained the national female facility for drug rehabilitation. Between April 1992 and May 1994, 40 minimum-security male inmates were also kept at Arohata. In te reo Māori, Arohata means "the bridge". The name was chosen in the hope that Arohata would provide a bridge between past offending, and a future life in the community.

Bucket Tree, 1 Boscobel Lane, Tawa
Cupressus macrocarpa / Macrocarpa "The Bucket Tree" -
registered as a notable tree ("Earps Bucket tree"), it is well over a hundred years old. Its shape was probably originally pruned by young immigrant Frederick Westbury in the 1880s, who worked for the land owner, William Earp.
Duncan Park, Linden , Gee St, Linden
A hockey and cricket sports ground, with clubrooms. The pavilion is also used by the Tawa Wrestling club.
Grasslees Reserve, Main Road, and Oxford Street, Tawa
The reserve has a skateboard rink and swimming pools. A Lions project built the adventure playground in the park. The Tawa Services bowling club is located next to the park.
On 27 February 1960, a monument to Elsdon Best was unveiled at Grasslees Reserve in Tawa by the then Prime Minister, Walter Nash. The monument was erected by the Tawa Borough Council with the Historic Places Trust declaring the site of Elsdon Best's birth a historic place. The pillar bears simply the bold words "Elsdon Best" and the wording on the official plaque reads:

"Nearby at Grasslees Farm,
Elsdon Best, Maori Ethnologist,
was born on 30 April 1856.
His ashes lie here."

Old Poirua Rd
The first significant post-1840 activity in the Tawa area was the construction of the Old Porirua Road. Cleared and built during the 1840s and supported by stockades (Middleton's, Leigh's and Elliott's), it linked Wellington and the small settlements of Porirua and Paremata on the Porirua Harbour. The road eventually evolved into the old Centennial Highway (State Highway 1). The Old Porirua Road can be traced through Tawa along some streets (Middleton Road, Willowbank Road, Boscobel Lane, Main Road, Oxford Street, Grasslees Reserve, Main Road again, Duncan Park, across Linden Avenue to Linden West Park and back to the Main Road).

Redwood Bush, Achillies Close, Tawa.
Redwood Bush is a relatively large native forest remnant, containing a variety of plant species. A group known as Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves Inc., lobbies Wellington City Council on issues regarding reserve land in the area. The group has just completed a walking track from Achilles Close to the Brasenose Track, which passes old trees and crosses streams.

Tawa College Musical Festival every 2 years on 17 Sept, at the Michael Fowler Centre.
Tawa Public Library, Cnr. of Cambridge Street & Main Road, Tawa
The first library in Tawa was opened in August 1964 and was built by volunteer labour. The current library was opened on the Main Road in October 1974. This Library was named after Tawa Mayor Mervyn Kemp. The building was renovated and expanded in 2002.
The Tawa Schools and Community Music Festival takes place once every two years, and the last one was in
2004. It involves most of the children in years 5-6 (9-11 year olds) at Tawa's six primary schools, those in the Madrigal Choir at Tawa Intermediate, plus singers from Tawa College. Add to that 100 or so adults of the massed choir, a total of approximately 900 voices all singing in unison.
Tawa Community Theatre The Tawa Community Theatre is an incorporated society which has been active in the area since 1953. Our society is community based and non-profit making, with a commitment to providing equal opportunities for as many people as possible to perform on stage regardless of age and previous experience. This theatre company began as the Tawa-Linden Drama Society using the Drama Hut in Kowhai Park, Linden. Prominent theatre people are among their members: Ray Henwood began his New Zealand theatre career with them and Ewen Coleman is one of their directors. Productions have won awards from the British Drama League, NZ Theatre Federation and the Musical Theatre Federation of New Zealand. For a history of the theatre see Packing them in : a history of theatrical success (compiled & written by Rose Hudson)Tawa Historical Society
The Society was established in 2003. This fledging group will identify historic sites in Tawa, and make submissions to Wellington Council on creating signage for a heritage trail. Tawa Recreation Centre, Tawa College, Duncan St, TawaWillowbank Park
The 5.5 hectares Willowbank Scenic Reserve. This area was created by Project Employment Programme workers, who cleared the area. Tawa Rotary club has done much to provide excellent amenities such as barbeques, seats and tables, a war memorial, and a bridge. There is sufficient grassed land for games which make the area eminently suitable for family or group picnics."
RSA Memorial Plaque is on the eastern side of the park near the picnic tables and river bank.

Elsdon Best (Author and Historian)
30 April 1856 - 1931
Farm worker, soldier, sawmiller, health inspector, ethnographer, writer.
Elsdon Best's memorial
Ivan Bootham (Author/poet/composer)
Ivan Bootham was born in England and emigrated to New Zealand as a teenager. His published work includes novellas, short stories, poetry, cartoons, music and art criticism. He has had plays, documentaries, and short stories broadcast on radio. In 1973 he was awarded a NZ Literary Fund Writing Bursary.
Lee Tamahori (film Director) 1950-
Director of "Once were Warriors" in 1993, now has an established career overseas.
Mervyn Kemp (WRC Chairman and councillor) lived 3.12.1912 - 24.1.2004.
Mervyn Hall Kemp, CBE, MBE, FCA, JP, was Mayor of Tawa for 28 years, during the greater part of its existence as a borough.
Murray Mexted (former All Black ; rugby commentator), born 5 September 1953 in Wellington.
Murray attended Tawa College. He was first selected as an All Black in 1979.
Susan Butterworth (Historian & Author)
Susan Butterworth has been an independent public historian since 1985. She has written on a wide variety of topics including local and central government, business, community history, and some Maori issues. Susan is currently writing the fifth volume of the official history of the NZ Police.

Bartlett Homestead
, 26 Oxford St., Tawa
Built in 1862 by Nathaniel and Sarah Bartlett. At one stage the house was used as a clubhouse for the Ranui Golf Club, which operated a 146 ha. golf course there in the 1930s. Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland , 4 Rewa Terrace, Tawa
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland is a direct descendant of the historic Church of Scotland. When doctrinal liberalism and religious doubt overcame the Presbyterian churches in the 19th century, we took up a separate position in 1893 to preserve the Church of Scotland of the Reformation, and to maintain Reformed doctrine, worship and practice
Greer House
, 420 Middleton Road, Tawa
The present Greer House was built in 1865 by Francis Greer, and was extended about 1908. The farm building south of the house may have originally been a flourmill, with loft, grain chute and a nearby millpond.Interactive map of Tawa A street map which also highlights public buildings such as churches and schools.Nott House
, 400 Middleton Road, Tawa
A largely original example of a colonial house which was built for William Nott, a farmer, around 1860. Access to the property was originally across a bridge from the Old Porirua Road. Tawa-Linden Anglican Church
An Anglican parish comprising two churches (St Christophers and St Peters) Tawa RSA, 89 Oxford St, Tawa
Returned Services' Associations - Phone: 04-232 5788, 0-4-232 5738,